GRAY MATTERS: Reuse is contagious at SCRAP Humboldt

At the south end of H Street near a lesser-known entrance to the Arcata Marsh (famously known for reuse of wastewater into wetlands) is another rapidly growing reuse site for the artist in all of us. SCRAP Humboldt is located in the Marsh Commons building, a repurposed industrial property rebuilt with all manner of upcycled materials: carpet made from plastic bottles, redwood from an old barn, reused lighting, flooring from old mill buildings, insulation made from recycled newspaper and decking made of recycled-plastic "lumber."

Upon entering the retail store, Director Tibora Girczyc-Blum looks around at what she describes as the "ever-evolving space" that is SCRAP Humboldt. Collections of fabrics, colorful clusters of crayons and mounds of photographic slides are impressively tidy in their bins for display. These and many more items are available for perusal by those with creative minds who wander into this treasure trove of resources.

Inspired by her travels overseas, Girczyc-Blum observed creative reuse in art from places like Africa and Central America.

"Creative reuse is everywhere in other countries," said said. "When seeing a spent car tire as the sole of a shoe, there is a level of problem solving, innovation and creativity that is present. The process of innovation and transformation captivated me on my travels, and continues to do so."

The concept of creative reuse in this country is not new. SCRAP Humboldt has a parent organization in Portland, Ore., and is part of the SCRAP USA family of organizations that range from Texas to Michigan to Washington, DC.

Since beginning the project in August 2012, SCRAP Humboldt has diverted seven tons of material from the waste stream in Humboldt County. As a nonprofit, volunteers are essential to making this venture work.

Ginger Gardner is a retired teacher and SCRAP volunteer. She recalls reading that even Martha Washington was involved in creative reuse. The first First Lady removed the silk from old chairs and had it re-spun and made into new covers because silk was hard to get in this country. Gardner points out that the American tradition of quilt-making came out of reusing fabric and old clothes. She has lots of ideas for helping teachers utilize materials in their classrooms.

"If you have something packaged into a kit, teachers, who are so busy, are more likely to use it," she said. "I am so thankful that we have SCRAP here and are part of a national movement."

Volunteers help by receiving, sorting, reassembling and selling unique art supply materials. They assemble kits containing materials like paper, yarn or fabric with a color or pattern theme.

There is a regular need for at least two volunteers in the newly-acquired space down the hall that is now the warehouse for donated materials. Items such as overhead projectors are available for the potential mural painter or "old school" light show host.

More volunteers are needed to manage eBay sales by taking photos and writing descriptions of available materials. SCRAP Humboldt is open to the public each week -- Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The organization is also now signed up as a station for RSVP volunteers, who are 55 and older. One of the potential benefits that Girczyc-Blum sees for these volunteers is the opportunity to share their skills with young people. "Using embroidery to enhance clothing is something younger people want to learn," she said.

This cross-generational sharing is one of the many unique opportunities SCRAP Humboldt provides.